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The stadium is situated approximately 10 km to the east of the Kolkata downtown. The roof is made of metal tubes and aluminum sheets and concrete. The stadium covers an area of 76.40 acres (309,200 m2) and it was inaugurated in January, 1984.

After its inauguration in January, 1984 with the Jawaharlal Nehru International Gold Cup Soccer Tournament, the Salt Lake Stadium has hosted several important international tournaments or matches such as The Pre-World Cup Tournament in 1985, Super-Soccers in 1986, 1989, 1991 and 1994, 3rd S.A.F. games in 1987, U.S.S.R. Festival in 1988, Charminar Challenger Trophy in 1992, Jawaharlal Nehru International Gold Cup in 1995.

On June 5, 2011 FIFA sanctioned a match to be played at Salt Lake on September 2, 2011. The match was played between Argentina and Venezuela. [7][8] The stadium has also hosted Oliver Kahn's official farewell match for Bayern Munich when they played a friendly match against Mohun Bagan; Bayern won 3–0.[9] In December 2012, a friendly match was played between Brazil Masters vs IFA All Stars. Brazil Masters won it 3-1. Beto scored twice and Bebeto scored one goal for Brazil Masters.[10]

Aerial view of Salt Lake Stadium

On 12 October 2014, the stadium hosted the first match in the Indian Super League, preceded by an opening ceremony including Priyanka Chopra. In the opening match, Atlético de Kolkata defeated Mumbai City FC 3–0.[11] The stadium hosted its last match of the inaugural edition of ISL on 14 December where Atletico de Kolkata played FC Goa in the first leg of the semi-finals. Saltlake stadium was the only stadium among the eight venues of ISL where matches were allowed to be played on artificial turf. Throughout the tournament there were controversies and debates regarding the safety of players on the injury prone AstroTurf.

The stadium also hosts important athletic events. It has hosted the SAF Games in 1987 and various national athletics events in India. The stadium also hosts different kinds of cultural programs such as dance and music concerts.